Zuccardi Q Tempranillo 2019

Region and Vineyards

The Santa Rosa region, located in the southeastern part of Mendoza at 620 meters (2,034 feet) above sea level, is one of Argentina's oldest and most traditional winegrowing areas. Known for its desert-like climate with warm days and cooler nights, Santa Rosa experiences significant diurnal temperature variation, which promotes natural acidity and well-structured tannins in the grapes. This vineyard, planted over 40 years ago by Zuccardi’s founder, relies on the pergola vine training system. This system shields the grape clusters from intense sunlight while promoting airflow and maintaining the grapes' freshness, a technique well-suited for Tempranillo.

This vintage was exceptional, marked by cooler-than-average temperatures and low humidity. These conditions allowed the grapes to achieve perfect ripeness with excellent natural acidity and balance. This vintage provided ideal conditions for developing structured tannins, vibrant fruit flavors, and a refined profile with no trace of overripeness, resulting in a perfectly balanced Tempranillo.

Winemaking

The winemaking process for Zuccardi Q Tempranillo begins with a meticulous selection of bunches, ensuring that only the finest grapes make it to fermentation. The grapes are transferred by gravity into concrete vessels, where fermentation occurs with native yeasts to preserve the authentic expression of the Santa Rosa terroir. This choice highlights the wine's distinctive regional characteristics while emphasizing purity and depth of flavor.

The wine is then aged in used French oak barrels of 225 liters, which provide subtle oak integration without overpowering the wine's fruit-forward profile. This method respects the elegance and structure of the Tempranillo, allowing it to develop further complexity while maintaining a balanced, nuanced profile. The final wine is a 100% Tempranillo with 14% alcohol, 5.74 g/L total acidity, and a pH of 3.69.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep ruby red, indicative of its richness and depth.
• Aroma: Complex nose with ripe dark fruit such as black cherry and plum, interwoven with notes of tobacco, earthy undertones, and a touch of spice.
• Palate: Medium to full-bodied with structured tannins, balanced acidity, and a refined texture. The finish is long and elegant, showcasing the typicity of Tempranillo with freshness and depth.

Did you know?

The Q series was the first line of Zuccardi wines to carry the family name on the label. Launched in 1999, it is rooted in the belief of highlighting Argentina’s heritage by using grapes from specific high-quality vineyard plots. The “Q” in Zuccardi Q stands for “Quality,” a designation marking only the best parcels of vineyards selected for their exceptional character.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Porcini Risotto: The earthy, mushroom flavors in this risotto pair seamlessly with the wine’s subtle earthiness and savory undertones, while its acidity complements the creamy texture.
• Braised Rabbit with Olives and Thyme: The richness and depth of the Tempranillo match well with the tender, gamey flavors of braised rabbit, while the herbal notes of thyme echo the wine’s complexity.
• Charcuterie Board with Jamón Ibérico and Aged Manchego: The wine’s structured tannins and dark fruit balance the saltiness of cured meats, while aged Manchego’s nutty flavors enhance the wine’s earthy notes.
• Duck Breast with Blackberry Sauce: The wine’s ripe dark fruit character mirrors the berry sauce, and its tannins cut through the richness of duck, creating a harmonious pairing.

History of Zuccardi

The story of Familia Zuccardi began in 1963 when Engineer Alberto “Tito” Zuccardi planted the family's first vineyard in Mendoza to demonstrate his innovative irrigation system. This vineyard not only marked the beginning of Zuccardi's journey in viticulture but also sparked a passion for winemaking that would be passed down through generations​​.

In 1985, Tito's son, José Alberto Zuccardi, took over the management of the family business. Under his leadership, the winery expanded its operations and gained international recognition. José Alberto's innovative spirit and dedication to quality have made him one of Argentina's most prominent wine ambassadors​​.

Today, the winery is led by Sebastián Zuccardi, the third generation of the family. Sebastián has continued to push the boundaries of winemaking by exploring the diverse terroirs of the Uco Valley and focusing on sustainability. In 2009, he founded the Research & Development department to study the region's soils and climate, aiming to produce wines that truly reflect their place of origin​​.

Region and Vineyards

Familia Zuccardi's vineyards are located in the Uco Valley, a region known for its high-altitude climate, complex soils, and breathtaking mountain landscapes.

The valley's soils are of alluvial origin, formed by materials that descended from the Andes Mountains millions of years ago. These soils are diverse and heterogeneous, providing a unique environment for viticulture​​.

The vineyards are situated at various altitudes, ranging from 1,050 meters to 1,400 meters above sea level, which allows for a wide range of microclimates and soil types. Some of the key vineyards include:

• Finca Canal Uco: Located in Paraje Altamira, known for its alluvial soils with large granite stones covered in calcium carbonate.
• Finca Piedra Infinita: Also in Paraje Altamira, featuring shallow alluvial soils with granite stones and calcareous material.
• Finca Los Membrillos: Known for its calcareous soils with large granite stones, primarily planted with Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Finca Las Cuchillas: Located in San Pablo, one of the coldest areas in the Uco Valley, known for its high-altitude and calcareous soils.
• Finca Las Cerrilladas: Situated in Gualtallary, with diverse soils influenced by the Jaboncillo Hills​​.

Winemaking

Sebastián Zuccardi, along with a dedicated team of viticulturists and winemakers, emphasizes the importance of expressing the true identity of the Uco Valley through their wines. The winery uses minimal intervention techniques, allowing the unique characteristics of the terroir to shine through.

Most of the wines are fermented and aged in concrete vats and large, untoasted oak barrels, which do not impart any flavors to the wine but allow for subtle micro-oxygenation. This method preserves the purity and expression of the fruit, showcasing the distinctive qualities of each vineyard and parcel​​​​.

Wine Range

Zuccardi offers a diverse range of wines, each reflecting the unique terroir of the Uco Valley. The portfolio includes:

• Finca Wines: Single vineyard wines that express the specific characteristics of a particular vineyard (ex: Finca Piedra Infinita Supercal, Finca Piedra Infinita Gravascal).
• Paraje Wines: Wines that highlight the identity of a subzone within a village of the Uco Valley (ex: Polígonos Paraje Altamira, Polígonos San Pablo).
• Pueblo Wines: Wines that show the identity of a single village (Geographical Indication) in the Uco Valley (ex: Aluvional Gualtallary, Aluvional La Consulta).
• Viticulturist Wines: Unique expressions honoring the history of the family, a particular region, or grape variety (ex: Tito Zuccardi, Emma Zuccardi).
• Regional Wines: Wines made from Argentina and Mendoza's most important grape varieties from regions considered most representative for each variety​​ (ex: Zuccardi Q Malbec, Zuccardi Serie A Torrontés​).

Did You Know?

Zuccardi has received numerous accolades for its exceptional wines. In 2022, it became the only winery in Argentina with three wines awarded 100 points from Robert Parker Wine Advocate.

Additionally, Wine Enthusiast named it "New World Winery of the Year," and it was recognized as the #1 best vineyard in the world by the World’s Best Vineyards for three consecutive years (2019-2021), earning a place in the Hall of Fame in 2022​​​​.